DHF Vecinos Emergency Relief
We understand that crisis support and relief is important to the survival of many in our community. Many of those in need are essential workers, and their two top critical issues are unemployment and food insecurity. Community members need financial assistance to pay for rent, utilities and groceries.
Anchored in the communities we serve, DHF is well positioned as a trusted messenger to quickly distribute resources and support to those most impacted by this crisis. DHF has 3,000 Vecinos Unidos members in 10 chapters in the Central Valley and the Antelope Valley in Kern, Fresno, Tulare and Los Angeles counties, and 20,000 supportive voters in Kern County.
In the last few weeks of the statewide stay-in-place orders, the Dolores Huerta Foundation has engaged in hundreds of conversations and distributed critical information and resource guides to DHF youth, parents, Vecinos Unidos members and Vecinos Unidos chapter leaders to keep updated and have real-time understanding of community needs.
In alignment with our leadership development model, DHF is in the process of establishing local service centers and mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to provide critical disaster assistance to marginalized communities severely impacted by Covid-19. We are identifying families in need and helping them apply for financial assistance. Many of these individuals are undocumented and don’t qualify for sufficient federal and state financial aid.
We are collaborating with local agencies to ensure food banks have more accessible hours for our working families and are providing food delivery to seniors, vulnerable individuals and those lacking transportation.
The DHF Education Team is working to provide educational resources and tools to make sure children are receiving an equitable education while out of school. Our staff and volunteers are providing the most updated Covid-19 information, legislative updates, mental health and financial support referrals.
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the DHF at 661-322-3033.
Covid-19 FREE Resource List
DHF Kern Census 2020 and Covid-19 Resource Guide
https://bit.ly/KernCOVIDResourceList
DHF Antelope Valley Census 2020 and Covid-19 Resource Guide
https://bit.ly/AntelopeValleyCOVIDResourceList
DHF Fresno Census 2020 and Covid-19 Resource Guide
https://bit.ly/FresnoCOVIDResourceList
DHF Tulare Census 2020 and Covid-19 Resource Guide
https://bit.ly/TulareCOVIDResourceList
Educational Resources for Families
https://bit.ly/K-12EducationalResources
Recursos Educativos Para Familias
https://bit.ly/K-12RecursosEducativos
Everyone Counts!
As we do our part to stay home, we have to make sure we’re counted in order to be better prepared for future crises. It has never been easier to respond to the 2020 Census questionnaire. Respond TODAY at www.my2020census.gov. We’ll all need to do our part to adapt and adjust accordingly as our community grapples with this unprecedented public health emergency. The last day to self-respond to the Census is Oct. 31.
We invite you to join the Dolores Huerta Foundation to ensure that our most vulnerable families have the ability to stay safe, can access necessary resources and receive timely information on Covid-19, community and educational resources and the 2020 Census.
Get civically engaged and make a difference by volunteering with us in the comfort of your own home! Volunteer phone banking shifts are available from Tuesday through Thursday afternoons. The only requirements needed are a stable Internet connection and a laptop. Register at DHF Volunteer Phonebank Shift Sign Up Form. For more information about our online organizing opportunity, contact Eliana Honeycutt at ehoneycutt@doloreshuerta.org.
Youth Leader Jesus Hurtado Making a Difference!
In March and April, DHF Youth in Kern County hit the streets to answer questions, provide information and encourage residents in hard-to-count communities in Bakersfield and Arvin to participate in the Census. Youth leader Jesus Hurtado shared his experience.
“For some of the youth, the act of knocking at a stranger’s home and having a face-to-face brief conversation was somewhat perplexing. Some of the residents were not exactly hospitable, but none were disrespectful. There were some that shut the doors on the canvassers. Others chose to remain indoors and ignore them.
“Thanks to their actions, the youth are now better prepared for the world if they have to face it alone. The intention was to get signatures and questions answered. Along the way, the youth and other participants, without knowing, have begun to cultivate life skills such as perseverance, patience and a calm, clear and concise mind-set.
“A group smaller than a dozen of the DHF Youth participated in the canvassing in Arvin. Due to Covid-19, the youth and mentors were instructed to leave information at people’s gates. The youth helped to place signs for the 2020 Census in a strategic location in Arvin so most people would be able to see them. Arvin is largely a low-income and Hispanic town with a large portion of youth that better understands English while parents know Spanish better, so information was provided in both languages.”
DHF Youth are the leaders of tomorrow and are empowering youth activist leaders to lead community projects and campaigns, such as getting our hard-to-count communities to participate in the 2020 Census, advocating for education equity and promoting voter turnout in Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Los Angeles counties.
Parent Racial Justice Education Demands during Covid-19
The voices of parents and guardians of youth of color have been missing from schools’ response to this pandemic. They refuse to have politicians and administrators making decisions about their children’s education without having their authentic input.
Dignity in Schools California has developed a list of demands and expects school districts and state agencies to consider them and respond with urgency by outlining their plans for concrete action.
We are asking everyone to share these “Parent Racial Justice Demands for Emergency Schooling During COVID19” graphics in English and Spanish on your social media. Please visit the DSC CA Facebook and Twitter pages. Like and share our posts to show your support!
DSC CA Facebook: Dignity in Schools California
DSC CA Twitter: @DSC_California
Include these hashtags when supporting this movement: #EducationReparations #COVID19Demands #DSCCASolidarity #COVID19Pushout
Children Deserve to be Healthy, Fed and Housed—In Crisis and Every Day
Throughout April and May, End Child Poverty California Campaign co-chairs Dolores Huerta and Conway Collis and partnering organizations spoke directly to members of the California Congressional delegation. They shared stories that highlighted the need for additional funding relief for families during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A common story is food banks running out of food. Transition-age foster youth found themselves without food and refuge once school became virtual. Some parents cried tears of joy when they found out they qualified for money in tax credits. Partners shared clear ways that families and children in crisis can be supported in the next stimulus and relief package. The goal of the End Child Poverty California movement is clear: all children deserve to be healthy, fed and housed–in crisis and every day.
Grateful for the introduction of the HEROES Act in the House, ECPCA Partners are now focused on garnering support and making sure the most vulnerable are not forgotten. As Dolores Huerta stated, “We have to work together to get something done.” Our gratitude goes to elected officials such as Reps. Adam Schiff, Anna Eshoo, Karen Bass, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Gomez for being champions for children and families.
You can read additional stories of impact at ECPCA California here. Become a Partner organization today and join us as we continue to advocate with our lawmakers.
May Day Fire Drill Friday for Climate Justice
DHF Founder and President Dolores Huerta spoke at Fire Drill Friday’s MAY DAY Virtual Rally on May 1 to call on Congress to #ProtectEssentialWorkers with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and other workers and labor leaders. As members of Congress begin to debate the next economic relief package, they have a HUGE opportunity to add in fair compensation, paid sick leave, workplace protections, affordable healthcare and more by supporting an Essential Workers Bill of Rights.
Fire Drill Friday demonstrations have a different focus each week as it relates to the climate crisis. Scientists, movement leaders, experts, activists, Indigenous leaders, community members and youth come together to share their stories and demand that action be taken before it’s too late. In case you missed it, watch NOW: https://bit.ly/MAYDAYVirtualRally.
Tell California Leaders: Make California’s November Elections Safe and Simple for All
Covid-19 should not stop us from continuing to ensure democracy works for all people, not just a select few. California must make the November election safe and simple for all. Voting by mail alone will not be enough.
California leaders must expand the number of in-person voting locations this November to support voters that are new to voting, need a replacement ballot, need any kind of in-person language or physical assistance, do not have an address to receive a vote-by-mail ballot or need to register and vote on the same day.
Having as many in-person locations and early voting opportunities as possible is the only safe way to conduct an election under the current conditions.
Send a letter to State Legislative Leaders calling them to expand safe and simple options for voting this November.
Our families and neighborhoods are stronger, safer and healthier when we show up and represent for one another. Join the movement at https://bit.ly/CANovemberElections.
